Burkholder scores 3

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls soccer team defeated visiting local rival Allen East 7-0 in the Div. V sectional finals at Steinmetz Field on Tuesday, October 14.

The Pirate girls improved to 9-8-1 with the win, while AE ended its season 2-12-1 after the defeat.

Bluffton’s Aubrey Burkholder scored three goals and dished out three assists to pace the onslaught.

Pirate Willow Derstine scored in the fourth minute on an assist by Greta Myers to put the hosts on top early.

One minute later, Blair Utendorf found the back of the net via a Burkholder pass to provide an early 2-0 lead.

Ellie Bogart netted a goal in the 32nd minute courtesy of another Burkholder assist that stretched the margin to 3-0. Burkholder then tallied a goal in the 35th minute from a Utendorf pass to make it 4-0 at halftime.

Burkholder picked up where she left off early in the second half, as she scored in the 41st minute with the aid of a Carly Wise assist. Six minutes later, the duo connected again as Burkholder tallied again from Wise to extend the margin to 6-0.

Derstine added her second goal in the 50th minute off a Burkholder assist to provide the final margin of seven.

Bluffton fired 24 of its 36 shots on goal. Allen East put both of its shots on goal. 

Pirate keeper Kynzie Ewing made two stops in goal for Bluffton, while the Mustang keeper was credited with 17 stops.

Bluffton hosts local rival Ada (12-4-2) in the district semifinals on Monday, October 20, at Steinmetz Field. 

The Bulldog girls scored late to beat Kalida 2-1 in their sectional final tournament match Tuesday evening in Ada.